Who painted Still life?

Still life was painted by Pieter Gallis in 1667.

Where can I see Still life?

Still life is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is Still life?

Still life is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Can I buy a print of Still life?

Museum-quality prints of Still life are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Still life

Pieter Gallis , 1667

Still life is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Pieter Gallis. It dates from 1667 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Overview

Pieter Gallis’s oil painting titled Still Life, dated 1667, presents a compact arrangement of everyday objects set against a dark backdrop.

Pieter Gallis’s oil painting titled Still Life, dated 1667, presents a compact arrangement of everyday objects set against a dark backdrop. The composition features a blue‑and‑white ceramic dish holding small stones, a handful of copper coins, a rusted metal implement, and a modest wooden box, all placed on a narrow ledge. The stark contrast between the illuminated items and the surrounding darkness draws immediate visual focus to the objects themselves.

Subject & Meaning

The work gathers modest, utilitarian items—a dish, coins, a tool, and a box—suggesting themes of domesticity and the passage of time. By juxtaposing polished metal with weathered wood and ceramic, Gallis invites contemplation of material value versus everyday function, highlighting the quiet significance of ordinary objects within a private interior space.

Technique & Style

Gallis employs a pronounced chiaroscuro effect, using deep shadows to isolate each element and accentuate texture. The smooth glaze of the porcelain, the reflective surfaces of the copper coins, and the corroded metal are rendered with meticulous brushwork that captures subtle variations in light. This handling of light and dark creates a three‑dimensional presence within the flat oil medium.

History & Provenance

Created in the latter half of the 17th century, the painting entered the collection of the Rijksmuseum, where it remains on display. Its provenance traces back to the Dutch Golden Age, a period in which still‑life compositions were frequently commissioned for private homes and modest collections.

Context

During the 1660s, Dutch artists often explored still‑life subjects to demonstrate skill in rendering material surfaces and to convey moral messages about transience. Gallis’s composition aligns with this tradition, employing a limited palette and restrained setting that reflect the period’s preference for realism and subtle symbolism.